Questionnaire to House Republican Freshman: Which Lobbyists Are You Hiring?

Dear House Republican Freshman,

Now that you’ve scrapped your pledge to change the way business is done in Washington, please fill out the following questionnaire about your specific plans to get cozy with K Street:

1. Which special interest do you plan on hiring to run your congressional office?

2. After hiring your special interest, what will you do first to help them protect their profits?

a. Fight to protect tax loopholes that reward big corporations for shipping American jobs overseasb. Make it more expensive for middle class kids to borrow money to go to collegec. Allow Wall Street to go uncheckedd. Allow big health insurance industries to make being a woman a preexisting conditione. Give tax breaks to Big Oil companies to continue our dependence on foreign oil while raising gas prices

3. What excuse will you give to voters for hypocritically cozying up to K-Street lobbyists despite promising to shake up the Washington establishment during the campaign?

a. I need to hire people who are ‘savvy’ in the ways of Washingtonb. Lobbyists need more access to Congressc. He/she made a very generous contribution to my campaignd. Did I promise to shake up Washington? Hmm…I don’t remember saying that.

According to The Hill newspaper, at least nine federally registered lobbyists have accepted offers to become chiefs of staff to newly elected Republican House members and senators, according to a review of press releases and media reports as well as interviews by The Hill. [The Hill; December 8, 2010]

o For example, Representative-elect Bob Dold has hired a special interest lobbyist, Eric Burgeson, to run his Congressional office. Burgeson’s clients include the “U.S. Chamber of Commerce in China.” The U.S. Chamber of Commerce spent more than $100,000 to help Bob Dodd get elected.

o Representative-elect Jeff Denham hired Jason Larrabee who, “… lobbied for several local California water agencies and an energy research and development company this year, according to lobbying disclosure records.” [The Hill; December 8, 2010]